The circle of wise giving

How does one distribute P45 million in the most effective and sustainable way to empower people and communities? Start by drawing a circle.

Today I share with you a story I entitled “The Circle Of Wise Giving.” It is the story about how the Metrobank Foundation and the GT Foundation of the late George Ty continues his philanthropic acts and commitments even after death.

The circle begins with blessings and resources that have been acquired through years of hard work, corporate vision as well as an awareness that wealth is to be shared with others, especially those who cannot pay you back or with those who “pay it forward” by helping others.

Having received and being entrusted with such resources, the next step is to have a strategy. In the case of Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation, their strength and expertise are in business, primarily wealth creation and management. In business, well-intended distractions are best left to others.

So, wisdom dictates that they undertake their philanthropic mission through alliances with experts on the ground based on strategy of sustainability and maximum efficiency.

From resources and alliances, to having a strategy, the next component of “The Circle of Wise Giving” is to follow a “wholistic approach” or a “complete circle” plan that lists who the final recipients are, what their needs are, how many can be helped long-term, will the outcomes scale up and be sustainable and who are the experts in each and every milestone.

Those needing help are single mothers, homeless individuals with no family, struggling housewives trying to break through as entrepreneurs, highly intelligent students in far-flung places, farming communities held back by lack of resources and knowledge.

Trying to help them are the religious caring for the weak and helpless. There are also NGOs and business groups working to protect the environment, provide clean drinking water, technical training centers teaching future technical-vocational tradesmen and agricultural learning centers committed to training communities on how to produce their own food.

From food, health, education, community sustainability, skills development and environmental awareness and protection, every stage is addressed by experts empowered by the resources of Metrobank Foundation and the GT Foundation. Here is a rundown of the programs and recipients at this year’s turnover.

MBFI has partnered with the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation and Caritas Manila on nutrition and health programs that target malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Other key initiatives include the Roots to Shoots 2.0 program with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, addressing food insecurity in Camarines Sur, and the W.A.S.H. for L.I.F.E. project in Basilan, a water source rehabilitation initiative in collaboration with Manila Water Foundation.

GTFI has also extended support to ensure access to food through partnerships with organizations such as Advancement for Rural Kids to promote vegetable exchange programs, ensuring food security in rural areas and Planet Water Foundation to provide clean and potable water to communities in Baguio City through the installation of an aqua tower. GT Foundation continues to strengthen its collaboration with Manila Doctors Hospital, supporting in-patient services and in-house surgical procedures for indigent patients. In addition, the CBCP Caritas Philippines Foundation’s augmentation program will deliver essential food items to 20 residential care facilities nationwide. Meanwhile, Salamin sa Maliwanag na Bukas program, a GTFI flagship initiative, provides free eye check-ups and prescription glasses to public elementary students. Another round will be done, this time in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation.

Ensuring the future of youth and education

Through partnerships with institutions like De La Salle Araneta University, Manila Tytana Colleges and Technological Institute of the Philippines, GTFI leads the GT Reformation and Educational Assistance Program (GT REAP), providing financial assistance and career opportunities for STEM students who are in their last academic year. Additionally, GTFI is enhancing technical-vocational education through partnerships with Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura Foundation, MFI Polytechnic Institute, Punlaan School and the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology.

MBFI continues to support educational access for underprivileged students through Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Mission Office Philippines and Bakhita Canossa Foundation, providing financial assistance to cover school-related expenses beyond tuition. The foundation also focuses on early childhood education in indigenous communities through Cartwheel Foundation’s Daloy ng Karunungan training series. In addition, World Vision Development Foundation’s Brigada Pagbasa program aims to unite education champions and supporters to contribute to nation-building by enhancing the reading skills of Filipino children.

In line with its commitment to livelihood development, MBFI reinforces its partnership with Stairway Foundation to provide livelihood training and enterprise development to women and youth in a Mangyan indigenous community in Barangay Baclayan, Puerto Galera in Mindoro. The program focuses on skills development in sewing and tailoring.

On the disaster preparedness front, MBFI supports Good Neighbors Philippines through the TRAILER project, which provides customized boat trailers and establishes a boat evacuation team to assist fisherfolk in safely transporting boats to secure areas ahead of typhoons.

Working hand-in-hand with Partners for Change, MBFI’s collaborative efforts extend to various organizations like the Masungi Georeserve Foundation and the Union Church of Manila Foundation, promoting nutritional support for undernourished preschoolers in urban poor areas.

Other key partnerships include the DFA Ladies Foundation’s scholarship program, the Congressional Spouses Foundation’s BBM Cancer Care and Trauma Wing project at the AFP Medical Center and Senate Spouses Foundation’s socio-civic initiatives that aim to contribute to improved medical care and developmental initiatives.

Similarly, the Association of Women Legislators Foundation and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. support various socio-civic projects that benefit marginalized groups as well as educational programs that further enhance mental health services, academic excellence and cross-cultural exchanges.

Through these diverse collaborations, MBFI and GTFI continue to play a vital role in fostering sustainable development and strengthening the resilience of communities across the Philippines.

Congratulations to Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation!